Author Hunter McMahon has released "The 5-Year-Old CEO," a book that examines how childlike curiosity can foster innovation and resilience in leadership. McMahon, a seasoned executive in legal technology and professional services, draws from his experience leading expert teams through high-stakes matters to present seven leadership principles grounded in storytelling, research, and real-world examples.
The book uses the fictional character Eric, a five-year-old navigating kindergarten moments, to illustrate how leaders can rediscover qualities that time often erodes. McMahon argues that curiosity, empathy, and imagination have become indispensable for navigating an increasingly automated world. Readers learn how to ask better questions, listen with purpose, challenge assumptions, lead collaboratively, resolve conflict, embrace change, and mentor others.
McMahon emphasizes that leadership is not a title but an action, stating that asking authentic questions and responding with compassion helps build teams that thrive together. The book has already received positive reviews from readers across the United States. McMahon previously delivered the TEDx Talk 'Caffeinated with Curiosity,' exploring similar themes about curiosity's role in professional environments.
"The 5-Year-Old CEO" addresses a critical need in contemporary business leadership as artificial intelligence transforms workplaces. The book suggests that maintaining a learning mindset and questioning the status quo are essential for growth, regardless of seniority. McMahon, a husband and father of four, notes that he is surrounded by curiosity daily both at work and at home, informing his perspective on how childlike qualities can enhance professional performance.
The book is published through Lucid Books, an independent hybrid publisher in the Houston area that combines traditional publishing connections with author involvement. For more information about the publisher, visit https://lucidbookspublishing.com. McMahon's work arrives as organizations worldwide grapple with how to maintain human-centered leadership amid technological advancement, making his insights particularly timely for executives and managers seeking to create innovative, resilient, and engaged teams.
